Two days after head injury during boxing match, NDA cadet dies

Speaking to The Indian Express, Pratham’s cousin Dinesh Mali said that Pratham’s mother has urged that a thorough probe be conducted into the incident and the causes of his death and that it should be ascertained whether all the safety measures were taken at the time of the boxing match.

Pratham’s family hails from Sayagaon village in Chalisgaon taluka of Jalgaon district in Maharashtra.

He is survived by his parents Gorakh and Sheetal — both of whom work as teachers in Pimpalner town in Dhule district — and a younger sister.

Mali, who is also a resident of Sayagaon said. “This is an irreparable loss to our family. We cannot even begin to imagine what his parents and sister are going through at this point. It was Pratham’s dream to join the Armed forces since his childhood and for that he and his parents had worked extremely hard and had sacrificed a lot.”

“Both his parents have been school teachers in Pimpalner for the last several years. Pratham was also born in Pimpalner and the family has an ancestral house and farm in Sayagaon. After his primary education in Pimpalner, Pratham had got admission to Satara Sainik School from fifth standard and had aimed for the NDA throughout,” Mali added.

He added that the family was eagerly looking forward to Pratham’s passing out parade by November end for which the President of India is going to come.

Pratham had last spoken to his father just before the boxing tournament. He was very keen on participating because good results in the sports would have meant additional points for him in the overall performance tally.

“His father was however not in favour of the idea. We have spoken to his mother and she has urged that a thorough probe be conducted into what exactly happened at the time of the incident, whether all safety measures were taken for the boxing match and whether quick medical assistance was provided. While we have complete faith in our Armed forces and institutions like the NDA, we all have a lot of questions too,” said Mali

A press statement from the NDA regarding the tragic death said, “The National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla mourns the loss of Squadron Cadet Captain Pratham Mahale. The cadet was a native of Maharashtra and had joined the academy on 18 April 2021 as part of 145th Course. On 16 October 2023, while taking part in the Inter Squadron Boxing Competition, the cadet sustained a head injury.” The release added, “The cadet underwent a surgery for internal bleeding in the head at Command Hospital, Pune. However, despite the best efforts the cadet could not be revived. The cadet succumbed to the Injury at 5 am on October 18. The mortal remains of the brave cadet were provided with full military honours at National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, wherein a wreath was laid by Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, Commandant, National Defence Academy.”  Mali said, “Pratham’s mortal remains will be brought to Pimpalner on Thursday and then to Sayagaon where his last rites will be performed.”